Animated toothbrush holder



Feb. 23, 1965 A. E. GOL DFARB ANIMATED TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER Filed May 14,1962 HmWllilllllllll llwliillMfllllllllilllllllffi INVENTOR.

47'70P/VEY United States A Patent Qiice 3,170,265 ANIIVIATED TOOTHBRUSHHOLDER Adolph E. Goldfarh, 7427 Varna St,

' North Hollywood, Calif;

Filed May 14, 1962, Ser. No. 194,545 3 Claims. (Cl. 46-116) so as to beexpensive and subject to malfunctioning.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an im provedanimated toy.

It is a further object to provide an improved toy which, not onlyamuses, but also serves a function in teaching the child good habits.More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide'a toy toothbrush holder which portrays a character or figure whichbrushes its teeth when the toothbrush is removed from the holder.

It is a further object to provide improved means for effecting life-likemovement or brushing action; this being accomplished by oscillatingmeans. v

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide asimple and economical toy which may be readily and inexpensivelyproduced yet which is not readily susceptible to malfunctioning.

Other objects andadvantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following'fdescription and the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front view, with parts broken away to show the interiorstructure, of a toy toothbrush holder including various features of theinvention,-the action in phantom; I

FIGURE 2 is a partial side-view line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, and;

FIGURE 3 is an enlargedexploded perspective view of the upper armmember, weighted lower arm member, and leaf spring of the toy.

Briefly, the illustrated toy toothbrush holder comprises a frame 12including a figure section 14 in the form of a living character. Areceptacle'lS is provided for receiving a toothbrush 16. The toy isprovided with amovable arm assembly 17 and means between the armassembly and the toothbrush receptacle 15 for causing the arm assemblyto simulate toothbrush movement when the toothbrush 16' is removed fromthe receptacle 15. Of particular note, the movable arm assembly 17includes a movable upper arm member 19 and a weighted lower arm member20 which simulatesa forearm and hand holding a miniature toothbrush. Thelower arm member 20 is provided with a weight 21 atone end and is fixedto one end of a thin leaf spring 22 which is fixed at its other end tothe movabl'e upper arm member 19. When the toothbrush 16 is removed fromthe receptacle 15, a short limitedmovement is imparted to, the upper armmember 19, and as a result the lower arm andsimulated toothbrushprovided by member 20 vibrate or oscillate by virtue of the weight andleaf spring to create the illusion that the character is brushing histeeth.

The construction of the illustrated toy is simple and inexpensive,making it particularly suitable as a give-away item associated withtoothpaste or a toothbrush. Further, the simple construction, which willbe explainedin detail down below, leaves little room for malfunctioningas found in more complicated devices.

Considering the toy 10 in further detail, it comprises 8.

taken generally along generally rectangular flat base 11 which may beprovided with an elongated cavity or recess 11a for receiving a positionof the simulated arm and toothbrush being shown small tube of toothpasteor the like and the frame 12 which rests upon'the base 11. The frame 12includes a base plate 13 which rests upon or is secured to the base 11and the hollow figure section 14 which rests upon it is secured to thebase plate 13. The illustrated hollow figure 14 is formed or molded torepresent, in the forward direction, a rabbit character 24 and anassociated large carrot 25 extending in the vertical direction anddisposed to the left of the rabbit character as viewed in FIG- URE 1.The hollow figure section 14 opens rearwardly, forming a cavity 14awithin it which receives the mechanism of the device as will bedescribed. The figure section 14 may be formed from various materials,such as plastics, porcelain, stamped metal, or the like.

As viewed from the front the rabbit character 24 includes a head 26having a pair of elongated ears 27 and several exposed teeth 28. Therabbit character 24 further has a simulated body 29, a pair of outwardlyextending legs 30, and an arm 31 extending generally outwardly to theright as viewed in FIGURE 1. The receptacle or holding means 15 for thetoothbrush 16 is connected to the base plate 13 and to one leg 30, ofthe rabbit character 24 on the same side as the arm 31, The receptacle15 is provided with a vertical extending cavity 34 in which the lowerend 35 of the toothbrush is received, As seen'in FIGURE 1, when thelower end 35 of the toothbrush is inserted in the receptacle 15 theshaft of the toothbrush extends adjacent the hand on the outwardlyextending arm31 and said handis formed to create the impression thatit-is grasping the toothbrush.

The interior portion or cavity 14a of the hollow figure section 14receives certain mechanism of the toy and there is a rear cover plate 36which partially encloses the cav-. ity 14a and also cooperates with thehollow figure section itself to support several short shafts or rodswhich will be described (FIG. 2). cured in position by means of anadhesive, suitable fasteners, or'the like (not shown).

1 A recess or aperture 37 is providedin the side of the figure section14 opposite the outwardly extending arm 31 and the inner end of theelongated upper arm member. 19

of a horizontalshaft or pin 38 extending between the wall of the figuresection 14 and the rear cover plate 36. v The upper arm member 19 andthe other parts which comprise the movable arm assembly 17, i.e., thelower arm member 20 and the leaf spring 22, are shown in detail inFIGURE 3. Fixed to the outer end of the upper arm member 19 is aforwardly extending pin 40 to which the outer end of the thin flat leafspring 22 is secured. In the illustrated toy, the leaf spring 22 isdisposed in a generally horizontal plane and extends generally parallelto the upper arm member 19. Fixed to the innerend of the leaf spring 22is a horizontal forwardly extending pin 41 which is in turn fixed to anintermediate point designated 42 on the elongated lower arm member 20. 3p

The lower arm member 20 of the illustrated toy, as seen in FIGURES l and3, is constructed in a rearwardly open shell or hollow configuration.This construction not only facilitates ready manufacture, but reducesthe weight of the member 20 and thereby contributes to the effectiveoperation of the movable arm assembly 17. Fixed within the outer end ofthe lower arm member 20, and positioned a substantial distance from thepoint 42 at which the spring 22 is connected to the lower arm, is theweight 21; As viewed from the front the lower arm member 20 is formed tosimulate a forearm and a closed hand holding a small simulatedtoothbrush 43. When the toothbrush 16 is held by the receptacle 15, theupper arm member 19 will normally assume the position shown Patented.Feb.. 23, 1965.

The rear cover plate36 may be se- 3 in FIGURE 1 and the lower arm member20 will be disposed in the position shown by the solid lines in thatfigure.

The inner end of the upper arm member 19 is provided with a generallydownwardly extending tab or lever 44 extending down into the cavity 14aof the toy. Also disposed within the cavity 14a and pivotally connectedintermediate its end on a horizontal pivot pin or shaft 46 is anelongated generally vertically extending but irregularly shaped lever 48having anupper end 59 and a lower end 52.

The receptacle 15 is formed atits lower end so as to expose the lowerend 35 of the toothbrush 16 when the toothbrush is inserted in thereceptacle. As shown in FIGURE 1, the lower end 52 of the lever 48 ispositioned adjacent this exposed lower end 35 of the toothbrush and isurged into abutting relationship with said lower end 35 by a thin spring54 which coils about the pivot pin 46 of the lever 48 and has one endengaging the lower end 52.0f the lever while the other end abuts a pinor plug 56 fixed to the figure section 14. As shown in FIGURE 1, whenthe lower end 52 is urged against the lower end 35 of the toothbrush,the upper end 50 of the lever 48 is disposed adjacent to the tab 44 onthe upper arm member 19.

Thus, when the toothbrush 16 is removed from the receptacle 15 thespring 54 will cause the lever 48 to pivot, the upper end 50 of thelever 48 engaging the tab 44 and raising the upper arm member 19 to theposition shown in phantom in FIGURE 1. The engagement of the upper edgeof the upper arm member 19 with the upper end of the side slot 37 tendsto limit the movement of the arm 19 to the increment shown in thedrawings. The lower arm member 20, however, is suspended at the end ofthe leaf spring 22 and because of this connection and the weight 21, thelower arm member 20 will vibrate or oscillate. As seen in phantom inFIGURE 1, the small simulated toothbrush 43 is disposed adjacent the twoteeth 28 of the rabbit figure 24, and the oscillation of the lower armmember 20 will cause the simulated toothbrush 43 to move so as to createthe illusion or impression that the rabbit is brushing his teeth. Thiswill not only amuse the child, but further, will set an example for himto follow, i.e-., brushing his own teeth.

A When the toothbrush 16 is returned to the receptacle 15 the movablearm assembly 17 is returned to the loweredposition shown in thesolid'line in FIGURE 1. Prefer ably, the lower arm member 20 engages theupper end of the carrot 25 to deaden or limit any vibration of the lowerarm member 20 when it is in the lowered position.

Thus, a novel, amusing and educational device is provided. This deviceincludes improved motion producing means which very realisticallysimulate the action of someone brushing their teeth. Further, theconstruction and design of the illustrated toy is such that it may beeconomically produced and yet is relatively sturdy and resistant tomalfunctioning.

Various modifications and changes may be made in the preferredembodiment shown in the drawings without de-' parting from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

Various features of the present invention are set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. An animated toy holder for a toothbrush in the form of a characteradapted to create the appearance that he is brushing his teeth, saidholder comprising:

(a) a frame including means simulating the appearance of a livingcharacter,

(b) holding means on said frame adapted to support a toothbrush,

(c) a first member which simulates the appearance of an upper arm of thecharacter and is pivotally supported on said frame,

(d) a leaf spring connected at one of its ends to said first member,

(e) a second member which simulates the appearance of the lower arm andhand of the character holding a small toothbrush, and is supportedsolely by being fixed to the other end of said leaf spring, said leafspring being supported'by said first and second members, and

(7) means on said frame adapted to pivot said simulated upper arm alimited increment incident to the removal of the toothbrush from saidholding means,

whereby the removal of the toothbrush from said holding means will causesaid simulated lower arm and toothbrush to oscillate to simulatetoothbrushing action.

2. An animated toy holder for a toothbrush in the form of a characteradapted to create the appearance that he is brushing his teeth, saidholder comprising:

(a) a frame including means simulating the appearance of a livingcharacter, (b) holding means on said frame adapted to receive andsupport a toothbrush,

(c) a first elongated member which simulates the appearance of an upperarm of the character and has one end pivotally supported on said frame,

(d) an elongated leaf spring disposed in generally parallel relation tosaid first elongated member and having one end connected to the otherend of said first member,

(e) a second elongated member simulating the appearance of the forearmand hand of the character holding a toothbrush, said second member beingfixed to the other end of said elongated leaf spring, said leaf springbeing supported by said first and second elongated members,

(7) a weight fixed to said second member at a point substantially spacedfrom the point where said second member is connected to said spring,

(g) and means on said frame between said first member and saidtoothbrush holding means and adapted to pivot said simulated upper arm alimited increment incident to the removal of the toothbrush from theholding means,

whereby the removal of the toothbrush from said holding means will causethe simulated forearm and toothbrush to oscillate to simulatetoothbrushing action.

- 3. An animated toy holder for a toothbrush in the form of a simulatedcharacter and adapted to create the appearance that the character isbrushing his teeth incident to the removal of the toothbrush from theholder, said holder comprising:

(a) a frame simulating the appearance of a living character, 1

(b) holding means on said frame adapted to receive and support the lowerend of a toothbrush,

(c) an elongated first member simulating the appearance of an upper armof the character and pivotally connected at its inner end to said frame,

(d) a relatively thin flat elongated leaf spring lying in a horizontalplane and extending generally parallel to said first member, said springbeing fixed at its outer end to the outer end of said si'mulated upperarm and extending generally inwardly therefrom,

(e) an elongated second member simulating the appearance of the forearmand hand of the character holding a small simulated toothbrush disposedin generally parallel relation to said leaf spring, said second memberbeing fixed to the inner end of said leaf spring at a point spacedsubstantially inwardly from the outer end of said second member, saidleaf spring being supported solely by said members,

(1) a weight fixed to said second member adjacent its 7 outer end,

(g) an elongated lever pivoted to said frame and having one end' adaptedto abut the toothbrush when it is inserted in the holding means torestrict the rotation ofsaid lever in a predetermined direction, and

(h) a spring biasing said lever in said direction,

r 3,170,265 7 V v 5 a i the other end adapted to engage said firstmember incident to rotation of said lever in said direction to .pivotsaid first member a limited increment, and

i a arm and toothbrush to vibrate to simulate toothbrushing action. 7

References Cited in the file of this patent whereby when the toothbrushis removed from said 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS holding means said leverWill pivot said first member a limited increment and thereby cause thesimulated 2,926,487 Stone Mar. 1, 1960

1. AN ANIMATED TOY HOLDER FOR A TOOTHBRUSH IN THE FORM OF A CHARACTERADAPTED TO CREATE THE APPEARANCE THAT HE IS BRUSHING HIS TEETH, SAIDHOLDER COMPRISING: (A) A FRAME INCLUDING MEANS SIMULATING THE APPEARANCEOF A LIVING CHARACTER, (B) HOLDING MEANS ON SAID FRAME ADAPTED TOSUPPORT TOOTHBRUSH, (C) A FIRST MEMBER WHICH SIMULATES THE APPEARANCE OFAN UPPER ARM OF THE CHARACTER AND IS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED ON SAID FRAME,(D) A LEAF SPRING CONNECTED AT ONE OF ITS ENDS TO SAID FIRST MEMBER, (E)A SECOND MEMBER WHICH SIMULATES THE APPEARANCE OF THE LOWER ARM AND HANDOF THE CHARACTER HOLDING A SMALL TOOTHBRUSH, AND IS SUPPORTED SOLELY BYBEING FIXED TO THE OTHER END OF SAID LEAF SPRING, SAID LEAF SPRING BEINGSUPPORTED BY SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS, AND (F) MEANS ON SAID FRAMEADAPTED TO PIVOT SAID SIMULATED UPPER ARM A LIMITED INCREMENT INCIDENTTO THE REMOVAL OF THE TOOTHBRUSH FROM SAID HOLDING MEANS, WHEREBY THEREMOVAL OF THE TOOTHBRUSH FROM SAID HOLDING MEANS WILL CAUSE SAIDSIMULATED LOWER ARM AND TOOTHBRUSH TO OSCILLATE TO SIMULATETOOTHBRUSHING ACTION.